Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Back from vacation but more about it later, first let me get the dessert out of the system

This was a dessert I learned early on after coming to this country. Those days my unending quest of befriending Bong people had got me a few friends (remember this) and a larger number of acquaintances. Now as is the custom among Bong people staying in far away land, a meeting as in getting together is synonymous with eating and that too in good measures. There was so much good eating and too many acquaintances that my very shallow foodie hubby would even weed out acquaintances based on their culinary skills.

So after months of eating excellent meals at several homes, I realized it was time that I did my part before people started gossiping about “How a you-know-who girl never invited us back and blah, blah, blah…”

I did not have very many culinary skills at that point and even fewer cookware so cooking a meal for about 18-20 odd people was a challenge. In fact even now with more cookware and somewhat better skills, cooking for that many people still plays havoc on my nerves. I always look around for good recipes that can be made in large quantity with ease and not too much preparation.

This is when I came across this easy breezy Fruity Mango Dessert recipe, posted by some Bengali on a Bengali website. It is quick, easy and definitely delicious (considering all the yummy things that go into it). Many thanks to the first person who created it and also to the person, whose name I don't remeber, who posted it.
I have made this several times and have moved the ingredients around. Here I will give my version and also specify the original recipe.

Mango Pulp (available in Indian Grocery stores) ~ 1 can
Plain Yogurt ~ 12 oz (Recipe said 32oz)
Sour cream ~ 8 oz (Recipe said 16 oz)
Fruit Cocktail Can ~ drain the syrup and get the fruits from a can or use fresh cut bite size pieces of fruit
Raisins & Nuts ~ for garnish (optional)
Condensed Milk ~ 3/4th of a 14 oz can (Recipe used sugar)

How I Did It

In a blender whip together mango pulp, sour cream and yogurt to a smooth consistency.Add condensed milk and whip again.Drain all the juices from the fruit cocktail and add to the whipped dessertGarnish with raisins and nuts.Put it in the refrigerator to cool. Serve chilled.

Serving Suggestion

Though it tastes absolutely great if had on its own, I often serve it with Plain Vanilla ice cream if it is summer. Else I also serve with some home baked cake as seen in the pic.

Today is my 3 and ½ year old daughter's first day at Pre-K, it is not official school yet, it is still a pre-school. But I find it an important date in my calendar, as it is the start of a new class with new teacher and new faces for her. Thanks to her PreSchool-1 teachers, Miss A and another Miss A. We will miss you. But we also look forward to the new beginnings, the slightly more responsibility, more independence in the new class and of course loads of fun.

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There are these simple desserts which come about in families...just putting together some readily available stuff and you have a yummy delight...your dessert is one such great idea! Many good wishes to you and your daughter for happy school days!

Sandeepa, welcome back! We missed you. Although I haven't ventured into sweets territory yet (I have very fussy taste and so would rather pop into a bakery, and Anando avoids sweets) I may just try this! Specially since Anando loves mangoes with a passion!

Welcome back Sandeepa! Cooking for a crowd plays havoc on my nerves too :) The Bong gathering reminded me of Namesake :) The dessert - please send me some with icecream and cake, no compromise there! :D Good luck to you and lil S with the new school year!

Welcome back!Your dessert looks/sounds yummy..Have to add, your other dessert(mango pudding) is a super hit in my circle now...I am making it so much now that one of these days A will say to B, "Who? dayeeta? the mango pudding lady?..yes yes, i know her"....

Hi Sandeepa, I can't read much but saw the colorful gear for S! She is a girly girl!!:D Good luck to her.Dessert looks great, love the color.You can make my Vanilla Pudding for a crowd too,it's in Aroma.Enjoy.

welcome bk girl:) i have tasted similar mango dessert in one of my friend's place n never got a chance to get the recipe from her. cool recipe. good luck to little S. that school bag and water bottole n tiffin reminded me of my 1st day in school:)

Yummy recipe and nice to see you back. Hope you had a great vacation and how did little S like her first day at school?

I can totally understand how bongs love to eat when they meet. My hubby who is a non-bong just can't understand that and hence doesn't let me cook zillion items for our gatherings. I will surely try this out at the next dinner party at our place :).

this has gotta to taste yummy. i'd probably replace the mixed fruit with raspberries or strawberries. thanks for the recipe. tell us about your vacation soooon, and please give little S a big hug from me.

When I read "some Bengali on a Bengali website" I was thinking about the Punju scientist girl :D Now that we all know each other, the recipe sources have names, but before food blogging started, it was all some random recipe sites :D Hope you had a great vacation, looking forward to the vacation post.

Hi Sandeepa, good to see you back. Hope you had a relaxing break! BTW, one more super easy dessert for me to try. Big hug to little S on startign school (and a bigger one for you, you probably need the bug more than her). BTW, if you get a chance do a post on DMC about choosing a pe-school and why you chose not to simply keep her her daycare till 5.

SupsThanks dear :) She still goes to the same pre-school/daycare, so the environment is the same for her and she had fun

Viji, LakshmiThanks

SusanShe doesn't get the pudding !!! Too much sweet for everyday :), once in a while it is fine

MahuaI hate to make the zillion things too and have cut down quiet a lot. However when it comes to eating at someone's place I would prefer 2-3 nicely cooked dishes that I like or give me a zillion dishes to sample ;-)

SwapnaYeah yummy ingreds == yummy end result

ShnWhat did you do with your Mango Pulp ? i only make either pudding or this, don't know any other way

MandiraMocha ta shokto ache, kat te o janina :-)

BeeDone, the hug I mean

CynthiaYou have to believe me when I say He really did that :) But not with friends mind you, if they don't cook they anyway treat us to a good meal at a restaurant :)

RajithaMore of "jab kuch log zyada ho jay" kind for me

SigAhaa...but fortunately there is only one Punju Scientist Girl we know of

MysticHa ha...good to know :) You make it so much more than me that next time I will have to learn from you

SJThis is the same daycare/pre-school. She will continue here even for Kindergarten. Only a new class with a new teacher and different set of class mates/friends

Hi Sandeepa, Looking forward to hear more about Little S's first day at school. Answering your question about Poi with shrimp, I don't know how to make it. Will ask my mom..I need more Poi recipes :) Thanks for the idea.

Dear Sandu, I am so sorry for missing out on the award. Didnt really mean to. I added yours too right away. Ya I decorated my son. It was quite difficult as he didnt let me do it:) Today I just left him in school. He was crying.

hi.. can you post a recipe for your home baked cake.. I am craving cakes and want to make it the way we used to make it at home. ( I am a 29 yr bong , married to a mallu.. desparately missing all bong food with my pregnancy!)

Expecting a couple of guests tomorrow night. I've got some mango pulp in the larder. Did a quick google search and found your recipe. Hope it turns ouut as well as you describe it. I'll skip the condensed milk though. I think it will be too sweet with it.

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About Me

Predominantly a Bong, who loves being a Mom and loves to cook among other things for the li'l one and the big ones.She loves to write too and you will find her food spiced up with stories. Mainly a collection of Bengali Recipes with other kinds thrown in, in good measure. A Snapshot of Bengali Cuisine